Sizing up the finalists

Except among the purple-clad throng of fans that usually heads
south to Salem this time of year, UW-Whitewater enters Stagg Bowl
XXXIV as the sentimental favorite. Bob Berezowitz, nearing the end
of his 22nd season coaching a team he once quarterbacked, is
retiring. His Warhawks, upstarts last season, represented
themselves well in a 35-28 championship game loss. And this season,
they return carrying the hopes of the other 220-plus
playoff-eligible Division III football Davids against Goliath,
Mount Union.

When it comes to the prowess of their Stagg Bowl opponents,
the Purple Raiders have seen it all. Every Stagg Bowl participant
enters the game during a great season. But what you did against
everyone else and what you might have an opportunity to do against
Mount Union are two completely different things.

The Raiders winning a ninth Stagg Bowl in 10 tries since
1993 might not be a dramatic story, but the cast changes often
enough that it's still new to the players. The hunger is still
there.

So on one hand we have a talented, balanced team who will be
playing to avenge last season's loss and send their coach into
retirement on the highest note possible. On the other we have a
talented, balanced team with experience at beating the Warhawks in
Salem, and one that's hoping to finish as unbeaten champions for
the first time since 2002.

How the heck do we pick a favorite?

Always-trusty Around the Nation comes through with a
position-by-position look at the Purple Raiders and Warhawks to
help give you an idea who might do what in Salem:

Rarely, if ever, does a quarterback win a national
championship and then return the next season to split time. But
Jorris has been sharing the quarterback job with Micheli since the
first quarter of the Purple Raiders' first game against Averett,
when he threw a TD pass and Micheli ran for one. And that's pretty
much what they do. 'Mike is more of a pocket passer while Greg is a
better runner,' Kehres said this week. And who are we to doubt
Kehres? If he thinks that quarterback is just like any other
position where you have two talents you need to get on the field,
so you rotate them, then it's probably a good idea.

Jacobs, a 6-1, 195-pound third-year starter, has guided the
Warhawks to a 28-1 record the past two seasons. He's completing 57%
of his passes this year and has 36 TD passes to six interceptions.
UW-Whitewater has always been a running team, but Jacobs'
development has allowed them to open up the offense and give them
the balance necessary to become elite. He can be rattled, or at
least limited, as Mary Hardin-Baylor showed in a 7-3 loss Oct. 28.
But Jacobs completed 22 of 47 passes for 310 yards, two TDs and one
interception against the Purple Raiders in last season's Stagg
Bowl, and not all of it came during the Warhawks' furious comeback.
A pass to Pete Schmitt near the end zone last season nearly tied
the game at 14 heading into the half.

Micheli and Jorris give Mount Union a solid one-two punch,
and both are fairly accurate and careful with the ball. By having
two quarterbacks, an early injury doesn't dash the Purple Raiders'
hopes. But their substitution pattern may tip the defense as to
what plays to watch for, while the Warhawks have their passer,
runner and leader on the field at all times.Advantage: Warhawks

We compare Beaver and Kmic's great seasons later in the
column, and each team has its main back healthy for the big
showdown. The midseason injury to Beaver forced Whitewater to
develop its younger backs, but the Warhawks have been missing
fullback Travis Reuland, a key blocker and receiver, for a month
and a half. He will not play Saturday.

Beaver will, and an area to watch for the 5-9, 196-pound
junior (1,282 yards, 5.3 per carry) is how he's finishing his runs.
When he's completely healthy, the first tackler rarely stops him
and he delivers shots on open-field tacklers instead of vice versa.
He makes good, quick decisions in Whitewater's zone-blocking run
scheme, but how he attacks tacklers will tell you if there are any
lingering effects from the broken collarbone.For Kmic, it's all about his second gear. Similar to Beaver
in stature, the 5-9, 190-pound sophomore often relies on a
deceptive stride and an innate ability to get his shoulders turned
upfield as his burst of speed kicks in. Kmic can make the tough run
too, but many of his yards come as he patiently picks his spot on
plays which appear to be going nowhere.

'Kmic is special,' Berezowitz said. 'He's a lot like Justin
for us. I call it having the wiggle. He's got great vision and
excellent speed. I wish we had a video exchange of Saturday's game
to see how he got those 371 yards.'

Kehres said he had a chance to meet Beaver last season, and
was impressed with him as a person as well as a player. 'They're a
better team when he's back,' Kehres said of Beaver, adding that he
played in the games that Mount Union studied on tape. Three weeks
ago in a 24-21 win over UW-La Crosse, Beaver carried 36 times for
227 yards, and followed with 93- and 66-yard
performances.

Wray might be the fastest Purple Raider, and he played a lot
last week in split-back formations, catching passes out of the
backfield. He can also be a factor in the return game.

Each team has an All-American-type game-breaker, in Stanley
and Garcon. But the latter reportedly wore a cast the week before
the St. John Fisher game, and gamely tried to play, but wasn't
himself. Garcon had one catch for three yards, but the Purple
Raiders took shots at getting him the ball deep and on timing
routes which would get him in the open field. Even if he is still
hurt Saturday, Garcon can be a factor blocking downfield in the run
game and running routes. I wouldn't call him a decoy, but the
Warhawks most certainly have to respect him any time he's on the
field. They know all too well. Garcon had seven catches for 107
yards and two TDs in last year's Stagg Bowl, including a 63-yarder
that woke Mount Union up after they fell behind 7-0. The Purple
Raiders, however, have failed to develop another serious threat, as
Antonucci, who splits time at tight end with Reynolds, is second to
Garcon's 59 receptions ' with 16.

Stanley (57 catches, 1,059 yards, 17 TDs) is the Warhawks'
go-to receiver, and all three of his catches last week against
Wesley were for touchdowns. But Whitewater's passing attack is more
diversified, as Mrkvicka (55-747-6) and tight end Schmitt
(45-461-9) are big threats as well. Mrkvicka's 53-yard TD catch
with 5:39 left helped beat UW-La Crosse in the playoffs, and his
94-yard kickoff return accounted for all of the scoring against
Mary Hardin-Baylor. The Warhawks must contend with five defensive
backs in Mount Union's base scheme, but they should be able to
spread the field and attack on the perimeter, deep and over the
middle.Advantage: Warhawks

The Warhawks are 285-308-256-286-271 (281.2 average weight)
across a front line that has allowed just nine sacks all season.
They're experienced, with senior Sakellaris and four juniors, and
their left side starters are both all-Americans. Anstett is the
only one who didn't start in the Stagg Bowl last year. The
zone-blocking scheme is taught to these players from the day they
arrive in Whitewater, and they'll want to execute to perfection on
Saturday.

A quiet key to the nation's No. 1 offense (498.3 yards, 44.6
points per game) has been the Purple Raiders' offensive line. It
runs 255-310-290-284-317 across the front (291.2 average), with
tackle Jason Lewis an all-American. Any time an offense rushes for
more than 300 yards per game, a key is the guys up front. And the
big rushing days haven't come against nobodies, least of all last
week's 378, 7.4-yard per carry day. I can't imagine Kehres could
ask any more of these guys right now. Lewis, Safran and Blanchard
started in Stagg Bowl XXXIII.Advantage: Purple Raiders

Each defense has at least one star (Kleppe and Stickley) on
the defensive line capable of disrupting the opposing offense at
key moments. But they're also solid against the run. The Purple
Raiders were No. 1 against the run this season, allowing 25.9 yards
per game, and Whitewater was fifth at 53.9.

Vucelich, a fifth-year senior like Stickley, rushed the
passer effectively last week, helping Mount Union pressure St. John Fisher literally from both
ends. Both Stickley and Vucelich have double-digit sacks this
season.

Kleppe does a lot of his damage going straight ahead,
especially when coming after the quarterback. At 6-0 and 290,
Kleppe packs a mean initial punch and hustles even when the play is
going away from him. He's often double-teamed to keep him off the
QB, but with 13.5 sacks and 22.5 tackles for losses, it hasn't
always worked.

Parr and Vucelich were in on a lot of plays against the
Cardinals. The depth of the group might give the Purple Raiders a
slight edge.

Borzick, an Illinois State transfer, has solidified an
already-good group of linebackers. Widuch started Stagg Bowl XXXIII
in the middle, but now that's Borzick's spot while Widuch took his
speed to the weak side. Berezowitz has called this the best group
of linebackers he's ever coached. They all enter the game with at
least 78 tackles, the top three totals on the team.

The Purple Raiders run a 4-2-5 scheme that doesn't
necessarily draw attention to the linebackers, but Rees and DeRiggi
are the Purple Raiders' leading and third-leading
tacklers.

If Pierre Garcon is not 100%, this assignment will be much
less difficult for the Warhawks defenders. But balls in the air
might be a good thing for them. Their 29 interceptions are a big
reason why the Warhawks were +19 in turnover margin. Farley has a
team-best seven.

For Mount Union (22 INTs, plus-17 turnover ratio), 5-9, 170
CB Jonah Wilson will likely start out covering Derek Stanley. The
4-2-5 allows Mount Union extra flexibility by using two 'strong'
safeties and a free. The safeties can play run support on early
downs, then without substituting, the Purple Raiders can go right
back to playing a nickel-like coverage.

Kostelnik is a whirlwind, a playmaker who has scored four
touchdowns this season, blocked two punts, picked off five passes
and broken up 10 more, has seven sacks and is the team's
second-leading tackler.

Schebler, a freshman, has shown he can make kicks
well-longer than 40 yards. Zimmerman's range doesn't extend quite
that far, but he's been fairly reliable. The cover units need to be
flawless, as each team has speedsters than can take a kick to the
house. Micheli is also the Purple Raiders' backup quarterback,
which could be key in a short-yardage situation where a fake might
be possible. The Purple Raiders rarely take for granted an
opportunity to change the game, and they have blocked nine kicks
this season.

Advantage: Even

IntangiblesBoth teams have them. The Warhawks want to avenge last
year's Stagg Bowl loss while sending their coach out in style.
Mount Union has been there, and has the psychological edge of
knowing it can beat UW-Whitewater.

Kmic rushed for 1,040 yards on 176 carries in last year's five
playoff games, including 173 and two TDs on 20 carries in last
year's Stagg Bowl. Beaver rushed for 857 yards and seven TDs in
five playoff games last season.

What's remarkable about Kmic's year is that the majority of
the yards have come against the best competition. Beaver's '05 was
similar, as neither ran up big yards against teams they were
expected to blow out ' although both ended up blowing out some good
teams.

In '05, Beaver missed a game but went over 200 three times
and over 180 seven times. Kmic has gone over 200 five times and has
been held under 100 five times, while Beaver never had less than
110. But Beaver got at least 24 carries in his last 12 games, while
Kmic was used sparingly in the early going, carrying that often
just once in the first five games. He's had 24 carries or fewer
nine times.

Here's where the two rank among the all-time great rushing
seasons, by total yards and with playoffs included (unlike the
official NCAA records before 2002):

Ricky Gales, Simpson, 2,424 in 11 games in 1989Justin Beaver, UW-Whitewater: 2,420 in 14 games in
2005Dante Brown, Marietta: 2,385 in 10 games in 1996Chuck Moore, Mount Union: 2,349 in 14 games in
2001Dan Pugh, Mount Union: 2,300 in 14 games in 2002Nate Kmic, Mount Union: 2,291 in 14 games in 2006R.J. Bowers, Grove City: 2,283 in 10 games in
1998Carey Bender, Coe: 2,243 in 10 games in 1994Tony Sutton, Wooster: 2,240 in 12 games in 2004Mark Robinson, St. John Fisher, 2,194 in 12 games in
2004

Stumping for
SalemEvery now and again, folks begin to wonder 'why Salem, Va.?'
Kehres, who has been more than just about any out-of-state
resident, and Berezowitz, who went to Salem as part of the Division
III coaches' committee before bringing his team twice, have no
interest in seeing the Stagg Bowl in a new locale.

'Salem has been a tremendous place to hold this game,'
Berezowitz said. 'The atmosphere is something special ' There's a
feeling of 'hey, I played in a special bowl.' '

'The environment, atmosphere and conditions are excellent
for our game,' Kehres said. 'When asked, I'm an advocate for
keeping the game there. I don't imagine anyone could do any better.
I'm a Salem fan. It's a great little city to visit.'

Although the weather in Salem is less ideal than, say,
Florida, it does reflect the December weather in the states that
have the largest Division III populations.

'I'm not worried about the cold,' Berezowitz said. 'It's
colder up here (in Wisconsin) than it is there.'

Salem Stadium plans a switch to turf, but Berezowitz,
whose home field is grass, doesn't have a problem with the big game
being on grass.

'Whatever it is, we'll play in it,' he said. 'I've got to
take care of a field up here, so I understand what we all go
through.'

Quotes of the
week'It's never easy going against Mount Union. Larry Kehres has
won 92% of his games, guys! I'd like to give him one loss before
I'm done.' ' Berezowitz

'I do find myself coaching against him though.' ' Kehres,
after sharing kind words about Berezowitz before his last
game.

'That looks like it now, but knowing Larry ' Last year they
started pulling out stuff they ran in 2002 and 2003. His repertoire
for remembering offense is tremendous. If we plan on him just
running, he'll go back and start throwing.' ' Berezowitz on Mount
Union's 'run heavy' offense.

'Good teams should play good teams. I admire that they
contacted me.' ' Kehres, after confirming a deal with St. John
Fisher to play a home-and-home series on opening weekend 2008 and
2009.

'It's kind of like hit 'em or get hit. I'd rather be the one
giving the blow.' ' Kmic, after his 371-yard game against
Fisher.

"I think Woody'd be proud of us." Kehres on what one of his
coaching idols, Ohio State great Woody Hayes, would have thought
about the 378 yards of rushing against Fisher.

Season in
reviewAround the Nation is accepting brief suggestions from
readers (and players, coaches and school-affiliated professionals)
for our 2006 Year-in-Review, due out in January 2007. Use last
year's review (linked at the top right-hand corner, posted Jan. 25,
26 and 27) as a guide for which categories we're looking to fill,
or make up your own. ATN cannot promise public credit for your
suggestions this year, and we may or may not use
them.

But if you think Kean was the surprise team of '06 or
Concordia-Moorhead was the biggest disappointment, let us know
(contact information, as always, is below). We'd like to hear your
games of the year, plays of the year, players, coaches and things,
but most importantly, your off-the-beaten path nominations and
suggestions. Things we haven't covered much or would have no way of
knowing about are where you can help most.

FeedbackAround the Nation is largely interactive, and since its
inception has made reader feedback a part of the column. We
keep a
running board on Post Patterns (under general
football) to discuss issues raised in the column, and we'll share
feedback and answer questions there, as well as in the column
occasionally. Send correspondence to keith@d3football.com.

What the eyes can
seeWe are always looking for video of anything Division III
football-related. That means we'd like to get our hands on
documentaries, local cable broadcasts and re-airs, links to
archived broadcasts and coaches' tapes. Arrangements can be made to
not share coaches' footage or to pay fans for shipping and
materials. Anyone with access to footage, please send an e-mail
to keith@d3football.com for
more information. Games against tough opponents
are preferred.

For print, radio and
Internet journalistsKeith McMillan is available, by appointment, on Thursdays
and Fridays to talk Division III football. For more information,
e-mail Keith.

Adam Turer graduated in 2006 from Washington and Lee University, where he was a two-year starter at free safety. He lives in Cincinnati and covers area high school sports in addition to his full-time job as an attorney. Adam has contributed to D3football.com since 2007 and is in his first season writing Around the Nation after spending four seasons writing Around the Mid-Atlantic.